Falls Church - Have you ever gone to see your favorite singer perform after listening to their music for years, only to be disappointed at how they sound live without “studio magic”?  Unfortunately, most people know that scenario all too well.  Not only was this not the case with Elle Marchelle, but she has raised my level of expectations for any other singer performing live to unattainable heights.  Her voice is perfection, pure and simple.  She doesn’t just entertain, she enchants.  She doesn’t just perform, she captivates.  As I listened to her, I couldn’t help but feel like an ancient sailor, being lured over a waterfall by the alluring voice of a mythological mermaid.

Elle Marchelle is in a league of her own - as a matter of fact, she is the league.  In terms of vocal capability and versatility, the only difference between Whitney Houston (during her prime, of course) and Elle is a record deal.  She performed for three of the shortest hours I have ever experienced.  At the end of the show at Club Babylon I was more than satisfied but wanted to hear more, a lot more.  Throughout the show, Elle sang some of her original works and covered some well known songs from singers such as Sade all the way to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.”  She took complete control of every note and made the songs hers.  In all fairness, I’ve never heard Lady Gaga nor Sade perform live, but I can say with confidence that Elle could match vocals with each of them on her worst day.  She is that good.

The talent is god given as well, no coaching needed.  “I’ve been singing since I was three years old.  As soon as I could start talking, I was singing.”  Given how impeccably polished her voice is, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she’s been singing through several reincarnated lifetimes.  Virginia’s best kept secret?  Hardly.  Even though Elle has only been singing professionally for about eighteen months, her song “Around You” has already been nominated for a Hollywood Music and Media Award.  “It’s such an honor to even be nominated, and it is definitely going to be an experience.”  Being on such a fast track to success, I was curious about how she made it happen so quickly.  “You have to have a team behind you.  At the end of the day you can be a great artist, but you have to have the backing.  I feel that right now, I have amazing backing.  I have my mother, my manager, and Phil, who are always there for me to help me every step of the way.”

28,000 fans deep on her ReverbNation page, Elle seems to have the magic touch when it comes to attracting fans.  “It’s amazing, I only opened the page up in November.  It’s crazy.  We try to reach out to other musicians, singers, songwriters.  People come to check us out, and we do the same.  It’s kind’ve like a give back thing, everyone loves music.”  That magic touch has transcended state lines as well, her song “Millionaire” is in weekend rotation on Jackson, Mississippi’s 97.7, where she also sat down for a radio interview.  They must’ve liked what they heard and saw, because her award nominated song “Around You” has begun to be put in spin as well. 

Elle has worked with a multitude of artists and producers.  “I did a collaboration CD, it’s called Dare to Dream.  It’s available for download online, three of my songs were on that album.”  She also has an as of now untitled debut CD being released on 11/11/11.  Indecently, that date only comes around once every hundred years, so that gives you some insight to what Elle has in store for her fans. 

One of the attributes that stood out about Elle was her adaptability.  She can seamlessly go from covering Michael Jackson’s energetic “PYT” to Nora Jones' laid-back “Don’t Know Why” with ease.  Going onto her ReverbNation page will introduce you to a bevy of songs Elle has written, sung, or collaborated on.  Her song “Millionaire” was actually written for the Puff Daddy-backed group Danity Kane before they broke up.  Listening to "Millionaire" gives the listener a peek into Elle Marchelle’s versatility.  “I consider my sound to be a pop fusion.  A mix of a little bit of alternative and a little bit R&B, but all together pop."

In addition to being a multi-faceted artist who can hold her own in any setting, Elle is a workhorse, too.  “I’ve done a lot of performing.  I’ve been all over locally, I’ve performed at many of the hotels in the area.  I did the Lover’s Lane concert in Jackson, Mississippi, when I was down there for the radio interview.  It was wonderful.  I had a great time.” 

Some may say I’m being a bit melodramatic when I state that Elle’s voice is melodic silk to the ears.  But before you cast premature judgment, I urge you to check her out live, and I challenge you to not become an instant fan.  Even though I was shoulder to shoulder with other entranced fans at the Babylon Club, Elle made it seem like I was the only person in the room.  I can honestly say this one of those rare times in a writer’s career when he just “knows this is the one.”  Even though I didn’t discover her, I do feel like I’ve discovered something special.  Elle Marchelle is set to blow, so much so that it’s not a matter of if, but when.  And when she does, just remember you heard it here first.

By Correspondent: Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen catapulted into this world via the Lone Star State during the cute baby shortage of ’78, and thus ended the crisis.  He then went on the military brat world tour, laying his hat down in Japan, Alaska, Florida, Virginia, and now watches the sun set in Washington D.C.  He’s been known to mumble in his sleep “I’m hip-hop ‘til I die.”  With a passion for arts and entertainment, Michael has produced his own public access television show, has been beaten up as a small time hustler on HBO’s “The Wire,” and writes screenplays in his spare time.